BXBX NOVEL Chapter 73 - 73: Nanhai Airport_1
Chapter 73 Nanhai Airport
Nanhai Airport?
Nie Zhenbang was taken aback when he heard the term.
At this point, Nie Guowei had already stood up and dressed himself. He looked apologetically at Zhenbang and said, “Zhenbang, you see, this…”
Yi Shuxian, who was standing next to them, also mildly reprimanded, “You’re not a high-ranking official, but you seem to have a lot going on. The kid just got home, and we haven’t had a family meal yet, but there’s already another meeting. I really don’t know what kind of work ethic you people at Nanhai have.”
At this time, in this era, it could be said that the entire cadre team of Nanhai was made up of the country’s elites. Everyone’s main focus was to fully devote themselves to their work and make great strides in building Nanhai into a model city for the nationwide reform and opening up.
Facing his wife’s complaints, Nie Guowei decided to stay silent, offering an apology with a smile. He then turned to Nie Zhenbang and Nie Ziyu, saying, “Zhenbang, Ziyu, I’m sorry. I’ll have dinner with you guys once I get back tonight.’
With that, Nie Guowei grabbed his bag and quickly stepped out the door. Li Wang also followed suit.
Nie Zhenbang couldn’t clearly remember when the construction of Nanhai Airport began, when the project officially kicked off, and when it was completed. As for when the Nanhai Municipal Committee started toying with the idea and began preparations for it, Nie Zhenbang was even more clueless.
However, Nie Zhenbang did distinctly remember a news segment from either 1993 or thereabouts, broadcast on CCTV’s evening news. It mentioned that within two years of starting operations, Nanhai Airport quickly developed into yet another international airport within the country.
Inferring from this information, it should have been around 1990 or 1991 when Nanhai Airport officially started operations. Even with Nanhai’s fast-paced development, the actual construction probably took place between 1988 and 1990. Given that timeline, it made sense for the Nanhai Municipal Committee and Government to start project planning now, prepare the necessary documentation, and then submit it to the Yuedong Provincial Planning Committee and the Yuedong Provincial Aviation Administration. Following this, they would report to the National Planning Committee and the National Aviation Administration for flight routing. This was indeed the right time.
Moreover, based on the aforementioned information, the initial scale of Nanhai Airport was only set to serve domestic routes. This brought Nie Zhenbang a large leeway for possible action. Despite many airports — over 70 percent nationwide – reportedly running at a loss in later times, Nanhai Airport stands as an international air transit hub in the Asia-Pacific region. Investing in this project certainly wouldn’t lead to sizable losses. Moreover, commercial real estate around the airport could provide Nie Zhenbang with an excellent opportunity to recoup his investment costs.
Most importantly, this presents a great opportunity to boost Nie Guowei’s prestige and political achievements within the Nanhai Municipal Committee.
In regards to political achievements, Nie Zhenbang had a basic and straightforward view: there were no issues as long as money could solve the problem.
Seeing Nie Zhenbang lost in thought, Ye Shuxian came over, waved her hand in front of his eyes and when she got no response, she patted Zhenbang’s shoulder and said, “Zhenbang, let’s have dinner.”
Even though Nie Guowei wasn’t around, the meal was still enjoyed heartily.
Looking at the affectionate relationship between Nie Ziyu and Nie Zhenbang, Ye Shuxian was pleased. At this point, Nie Zhenbang felt like he was truly part of this small family.
It was ten o’clock at night, and Nie Ziyu had already gone to bed. Ye Shuxian too had retired to her room. As Nie Guowei opened the door, he turned to his secretary, Li Wang, and said softly, “Li, you go and rest. Come pick me up at half-past seven tomorrow morning. We’ll go check on things over at An Bao’s.”
Nie Zhenbang gently closed the front door. The light next to the door was left on, dimly illuminating the entire living room. At that moment, Nie Zhenbang emerged from his bedroom.
Upon seeing Nie Zhenbang fully dressed, Nie Guowei was momentarily taken aback before breaking into a smile, “Zhenbang, you’re still awake? Can’t sleep in a new place?”
Without Ye Shuxian present, Nie Guowei’s tone was noticeably softer. Even though Ye Shuxian did not mind, there were times when Nie Guowei made an effort to be more considerate.
Looking at Nie Guowei, Nie Zhenbang assumed a serious expression and asked, “Father, do you have some time? Let’s talk in the study. There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”
Such formality, such a grave tone — it was unlike Nie Zhenbang. It left Nie
Guowei momentarily speechless, before solemnly nodding, “Alright.”
Both father and son walked into the study next door. Nie Zhenbang carefully closed the door behind him. Staring at Nie Guowei seated on the study’s sofa, after a prolonged silence, Nie Zhenbang spoke slowly, “Father, at this time, my mother has already left us. Yet, she never harbored any resentment towards you when she left. She never once blamed you for leaving her or forgetting about her. Instead, she told me that you are a good man. A man worth loving for a lifetime. I want to ask you, did you ever love my mother in this life?”
This topic was a heavy burden. As Nie Zhenbang asked his question, Nie Guowei seemed to be transported back in time, a distant look in his eyes. Looking at Nie Zhenbang, Nie Guowei slowly responded, “Why would you ask such a thing? Zhenbang, is it because your aunt…?”
Nie Zhenbang shook his head, whispering, “It has nothing to do with mom. Honestly, the name ‘mom’ suits her perfectly. I recognize her as my mother. I merely wanted to ask, for my mother’s sake. Is the man she loved so deeply worth her love?”
Actually, there was a deeper reason for Nie Zhenbang’s actions. Nie Guowei’s abilities and qualifications certainly had their limits. Even with Nie Zhenbang’s support in this life, reaching the sub-national level would already be a remarkable feat. However, forcing someone who originally only reached deputy ministry level onto a sub-national position would consume an immeasurable amount of resources, connections and money. At this point, Nie Zhenbang was just making a final evaluation of his decision.
“Zhenbang, since you asked, I’ll tell you,” Nie Guowei said, entering a reminiscent state.
“Your mother and I met when we were sent to work in the rural commune of Yanbei. Back then, your mother was the renowned beauty of the commune. Our romance was simple. At that time, I was rebellious. Once, your mother fell ill, and I carried her ten miles to the hospital. This was how our relationship started. After that, we became intimate. Initially, I thought I’d settle down in Yanbei. However, your grandfather interfered and transferred me directly to the military. During the New Year, your mother returned home to visit her family and we didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. I left her a note, promising to return in a year. But when that time came around, your grandfather was exiled. Not until three years later, when I was discharged from the military and returned to Yanbei, was I informed that your mother had left. Nobody knew where she’d gone, and I couldn’t find any leads.”
For the first time, Nie Guowei’s pain was laid bare. Looking at Nie Zhenbang, Nie Guowei’s eyes were clear and intense, “Zhenbang, I know I’ve failed your mother. I’ve failed you. I’ve always blamed myself. Seeing you just made me feel even more guilty. But if you ask me whether I loved her, then I, Nie Guowei, can claim with a clear conscience that I did.”
At this point, Nie Zhenbang nodded. His maternal grandfather might have been an ordinary civilian, but Nie Zhenbang was well aware of his influence. As a well-known master of Shape-Intent Fist in Yanbei, during the war he had made numerous military connections. After learning about his daughter’s pregnancy, he used these connections to bring my mother back to Tang City. It was only natural that when Nie Guowei came to look for her, he could find no trace of her.
At this moment, Nie Zhenbang seemed to have finally let go of a burden. He looked at Nie Guowei and asked, “Father, were you discussing the construction of the airport in Nanhai today?”
Nie Guowei didn’t think much of the question and casually replied, “Right. As Nanhai develops, it’s necessary to build an airport. Recently, the municipal committee and the municipal government have been working on this. Numerous meetings have been held.”
At this, Nie Guowei paused, and turned the question around, “Zhenbang, why do you ask?”
Nie Zhenbang broke into a grin, “Father, of course, the airport needs to be built. I’m guessing you’re considering a regional airport? I think it’s not necessary to be so conservative. The chief of Nan Xun once said that we need to take broader steps in reform. Considering the development prospects and pace of Nanhai, I suggest we go all in and start building an international airport directly..”